KAMPALA UGANDA: 22 April 2026– The Government of Uganda has announced that this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work will center on the mental well-being of the workforce, marking a strategic shift toward addressing “invisible” workplace hazards.
Speaking at the National Media Center, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, Hon. Anyakun Esther Davinia, unveiled the theme for the 2026 commemorations: “Building Psychosocial Resilience: Sustaining Uganda’s OSH Gains through Mental Well-being and Organisational Strength.”
The main national celebrations are scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at St. Noah Mawagali S.S. in Mbiko.
While acknowledging Uganda’s progress in traditional Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)—including increased inspections and better regulatory frameworks—Minister Anyakun emphasized that physical safety is no longer enough.
”These gains can only be sustained if equal emphasis is placed on the psychological and social wellbeing of workers,” the Minister stated. “Modern pressures such as high workloads, job insecurity, and workplace harassment contribute significantly to stress and depression, which ultimately hit national productivity.”
The Minister noted that psychosocial resilience is not merely an individual responsibility but a collective organizational duty. She called on employers to integrate mental health into formal safety policies and provide access to counseling services and employee assistance programs.
Call to Action for Employers and Workers
To foster a healthier labor market, the Ministry issued a four-point directive to employers:
Integrate psychosocial risk management into OSH policies, Promote a culture of openness and mutual respect, Provide access to professional counseling, and Ensure reasonable workloads to facilitate a healthy work-life balance.
Hon. Anyakun also urged workers to be proactive about their mental health and encouraged social partners to collaborate on research regarding psychosocial risks in the Ugandan context.
Calendar of Activities
In partnership with organizations such as Enabel Uganda, the Ministry has organized a week-long series of events leading up to the main celebration:
*April 22, an OSH symposium at Nakawa Innovation Hub.
*April 24, Community Sanitation drive in Njeru Nile Market.
*April 26, National OSH Run at Ministry Headquarters.
*April 28, Main Commemoration at St Noah Mawagali SS Mbiko.
Looking Ahead
The Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to enforcing compliance with OSH standards across all sectors. She also took a moment to remember workers who have been injured or lost their lives due to occupational hazards, pledging that the government will continue to build resilient workplaces that nurture both the body and the mind.
